REVISITING TECHNOLOGY’S IMPACT: A PRE-AND DURING-COVID STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTS

Sep 29, 2026

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The COVID-19 pandemic intensified mental health challenges among older adults, while prior studies often relied on cross-sectional designs that missed how outcomes evolved over time. This longitudinal analysis models individual mental health trajectories before and during the pandemic using NHATS rounds 9 and 10. Results show that higher technology use—especially virtual communication, telehealth, and online social engagement—corresponded with greater deterioration, mainly when pre-existing depression or anxiety was present. Income level predicted mental health more strongly than technology, particularly for severe conditions. Policy and clinical strategies must pair digital inclusion with income and mental health support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study design and data

Key findings

Implications

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 799 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2713 REVISITING TECHNOLOGY’S IMPACT: A PRE-AND DURING-COVID STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTS Geunhye Park, and Jeonghun Kim, SUNY Cortland, Cortland, New York, United States The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges among older adults, yet existing research remains methodologically limited, often relying on cross-sectional designs that fail to capture temporal changes. This study aims to fill this gap by examining individual-level mental health trajectories before and during the pandemic, contributing to deeper understanding of the long-term psychological effects of crisis events on older populations. Using a longitudinal fixed-effects probit model, we analyze data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Round 9 (pre-pandemic) and Round 10 (during the pandemic), allowing us to control for unobserved heterogeneity and incorporate lagged variables that account for delayed mental health effects. The sample includes 3,257 800 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 respondents, predominantly female (58%), White American (76%), and aged 75-79 (29%) . Findings reveal that increased technology use-particularly virtual communication, telehealth, and online social engagement-was associated with greater mental health deterioration among older adults. However, these effects were contingent on pre-existing mental health conditions, as those with a history of depression or anxiety experienced negative impacts. Additionally, income level emerged as a stronger predictor of mental health outcomes than technology use, particularly among individuals with severe mental health conditions, highlighting economic security as a critical determinant of resilience. These findings contribute to theoretical discussions on crisis-induced vulnerability and have significant policy and clinical implications. Policymakers must strengthen income support programs, social safety nets, and digital inclusion efforts, while clinicians should recognize that technology-driven interventions must be accompanied by financial and mental health support to effectively address disparities among older adults.

FAQs

What problem does the study address about prior COVID-19 mental health research?

It addresses the methodological limitation of cross-sectional designs that cannot capture temporal changes. The study instead tracks mental health trajectories over time before and during the pandemic.

How does technology use relate to mental health outcomes among older adults in the findings?

Increased technology use, particularly virtual communication, telehealth, and online social engagement, is associated with greater mental health deterioration. The relationship depends on pre-existing mental health conditions.

Why does income matter more than technology use in this study?

Income level emerges as a stronger predictor of mental health outcomes than technology use, especially among individuals with severe mental health conditions. The results emphasize economic security as a key determinant of resilience.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Sarah